This article in SFGate.com is a story of Vincent Pannizzo, a graduate of Rutger’s University and former Ph.D. student at Cal who left it all, including family, to become a street preacher in Oakland. You can read about his reputation, and hear a sample of the “church” service that was recently held under an overpass.
The article seems to focus on Pannizzo’s intelligence suggesting that he is not “crazy,” in the mentally-ill sense. That posed for me the question of sanity.
[Images below by Deanne Fitzmaurice of the SF Chronicle.]
Reading through the article, you discover that Pannizzo got married soon after his decision to street preach. The marriage didn’t work, and there is a young son in the mix whom he hardly sees. Listening to Pannizzo, you discover someone erudite, somewhat well-read, clearly compassionate, and pastoral. Immediately, I am inspired and touched by Pannizzo’s commitment and ministry. I’m certain there are fruits of his labor that others have been unable to acheive. For that, we bless God, and the community praises his efforts. So ought we.
So, how can we actually make any reasonable judgments about someone’s mental stability? Is citing someone’s academic career really that evidential? What about all the other decision making processes that take people down their particular paths? Can “crazy” really be concluded given the fact that he gave up a lucrative career and a marriage and family? What kind of “intelligent” person does that? Even for the homeless?
Perhaps that’s why the SFGate.com author found the story so fascinating. The path is crazy, that is, illogical. It doesn’t make sense, and it seems against all sensibilities. And while I would even concur that leaving a wife and child behind for some higher sense of a spiritual calling or task is a false dichotomization that is perhaps more damaging than worth, Pannizzo himself is not crazy (again, in the mentally-ill) category.
The question that is not explicitly stated in the article is how could a sane person do something insane? What causes a stable person to make such unstable decisions?
If you ask Pannizzo,
“I’m not nuts,” Pannizzo said with a chuckle one recent morning, standing in the unusually tidy camp he keeps with a half-dozen other homeless people. “I’m basically just a regular guy. But at one point I began really reading the Scriptures, and they really blew me away. God gave me faith. This is what I must do.”
Okay. Clearly personal conviction and the Scriptures have the power to move someone to questionable acts of kindness and benevolence. We’ve seen that throughout history. There is something very reasonable about this kind of action. Compassion and philanthropy does that to people.
But why so few? And why are they the ones that are questioned regarding their mental stability? What then, does that say about those of us who are not moved by compassion and benevolence, but rather merely brought to an academic practice of critique and analysis?
Of the definitions of “crazy,” one of them is “very enamored or infatuated.” [1] So, while it may be true that Pannizzo is “crazy,” that is “impractical” and “totally unsound,” [2] perhaps those of us who are so enamored or infatuated with our comfortable lifestyles that we look down upon those who are impractical, ought to think more honestly about what “crazy” really is. It just may be that those of us who see life through narcissistic glasses are more crazy than those who, like Pannizzo, leave all behind for a calling and identity that is benevolent and self-depreciating.
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Pete Squeek
May 27, 2008
this man is indeed “crazy” with a long history of mental illness he helps these homeless not because he wants to help instead to help himslef. his worst fear in life is going to hell. he feels by helping them it will keep him out. he hasnt brushed his teeth in years in fear that he will spread his grems through his toothbrush. not only is he a textbook mental patient he is also a deadbeat dad! when his son was an infant he would give out all his wives money to homeless and put his family in danger. one time he brought a homeless person to his house and this person started a fire because he fell asleep with a lit cigerette. crack whore would leave thier children in pannizzos house aorund his newborn so they could score crack. shortly after his wife left him because of his mental illness, his 1 year old son had an operation to fix a hole in his heart, pannizzo never once cared how his son was or even if he is still alive. pannizzo would rather give what little money he has away to homeless then his own son, this is what you call a deadbeat dad and against the law. the article states he hardly sees his son and ex-wife, this is not true he has never once reached out to eiather of them since his ex-wife left him. how can a person who is not mentally ill bring a baby into this world and never once care to find out how this person is doing? I’ll tell you why because your “preacher man” is mantally ill!
VIA
May 30, 2008
I decided to accept Pete’s comment, after I posted my reflections on “Lars and the Real Girl.”
c gingrich
December 26, 2008
So they said the same ugly things about our L-rd Jesus Christ — that is, he’s crazy, possessed, unfit, sick. These accusations are nothing new under the sun as the apostles of Christ were also antagonized. Vincent is doing G-d’s business as the Holy Spirit has enabled him. Those who leave families behind to do Christ’s bidding do not have to worry that their families are being cared for — G-d takes care of these things. All Vincent has to do is remain faithful — apparently his calling is from the supernatural G-d in heaven.
Mark Medrek
January 31, 2013
Nice call. I met Vinny in basic training, and we became best friends all through our 3 years in the service, and after. In fact, I had a profound experience with God, or so I thought at the time, first while still in the service. We talked extensively, and he even came to church with me a few times back in ’88. I haven’t spoken to him since ’02 or so, but he knew he was in an awkward position to put it mildly; he didn’t feel he could turn his back on the kind of people to whom Jesus ministered all the time (many never said “thank you,” but they got fed and healed anyway).
Neko
January 2, 2009
Pete sounds like he’s pretty familiar with the situation, so I’m going to take what he says as the truth. Just because a guy preaches God (and does it well) doesn’t make him a good person outside of his preaching. The two are exclusive, although they can influence each other if the person is willing.
C gingrich… God isn’t going to come down from Heaven to save a child’s life. He gave us parents who are given that task. That parent can either take up that task or they can ignore it. I’m not saying that miracles don’t exist, but He wants us to work to save ourselves & those that we are responsible for (or care for). He’s not just going to give us a handout, you know.
Jerry
August 10, 2009
Went to high school with Vinny. Know his whole story, especially now. What it boils down to is he did marry his high school sweetheart and he did abandon them. To me, god would never want that… You want to do GOD’S work and spread the word of the lord you can do that and still take care of your family. Especially your son who needs his father..
Mark Medrek
January 31, 2013
Hey Jerry
Vinny and I were buddies in the army when he used to sneak away from Fort Gordon to see Tracy (we’d have to cover for him). Do you–I know it’s a longshot–have any idea how I could contact his sister Michelle or mom by any chance. I met them both, and use to have #’s, but that was many years ago already. I had his mom’s # when she lived in NYC, but I think they both have since married, and moved. Thank you. BTW you knew him Dumont? He described his weekends with his friends as “drink a few beers, get stewed, and beat the crap out’ta somebody.”
Phil Lanteri
April 19, 2010
If Mr. Pannizzo is being moved by the Holy Spirit than he is
blessed to be doing God’s work. The courage and compassion he presents is something everyone who dares to call him/herself a true Christian, a follower and disciple of Christ should aspire to.
However, charity begins at home and if it is true that he
abandoned his wife and child than his actions seem dubious.
I now feel compelled to research whether there are examples of true abandonment in the Bible but I will not judge Mr. Pannizzo.
if there are examples of true abandonment in the Bible and that.
shane
September 6, 2012
I do not think he is crazy, in fact I know for a fact he is telling the truth. Only if you live your life as he is living his life can you call yourself a Christian. When Jesus returns he will know this man.
Not only do I know he is right but I am going to live my life just as he is. I am going to do just as he is doing. Jesus said, very few there be that enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.
Donna
December 8, 2012
Please read this entire comment & bear in mind that I am NOT against Vincent per se, but my call to the readers is to think & to be discerning, especially if you are students of the bible. Any caps are meant for emphasis only. I did not read these comments listed here till after I’d already written my views below.
In watching the video of the homeless preacher…my view is that this is where this man is in his life & Jesus wants to teach him & will continue to teach him thru these experiences. I love his spirit & of course, I hate the whole spirit of babylon (church system) w/ a passion of which I am not a part!
Having said that, I also met a woman who was formally homeless (& others) who ministered to the homeless after she gave her life to Jesus & she was very giving & loving, but also discerning…we learn obedience as we go thru life. I, myself, have ministered to the poor/homeless w/ others in NY & other places & one time I was fooled by a good actor w/ his story, so I learned thru that experience & never gave him anything anymore.
I also used to play the piano at a place where the poor/homeless gathered for lunch & the Lord would arrange for me to meet w/ someone now & then to talk w/ them or help them or pray w/ them, perhaps give them something, but rarely any money…but never to give to everyone. Remember that Jesus was disappointed w/ those who followed Him just b/c He gave them food & Jesus was discerning…He was not a victim & did not allow Himself to be abused. He was abused by the Jews & the Romans when He did what His Father asked of Him re: His sufferings & crucifixion. This man needs some balance in his life & I hope that will come in time.
I know what it’s like to be homeless b/c the Lord allowed me to go thru that season for almost a year, however, I was not left on the streets…it did show me in bold relief what the babylonish/church people thought of me, yet at the same time, the Lord always took care of me. Life is complex, but Jesus within is the Master of all & He uses everything we go thru if we let Him. ___________________________________________
I’d like to include these observations that I did not include in the above writing, since I have watched this video a second time.
What Vincent nees is discernment & wisdom for sure. Even another homeless man was smart enough to realize that if Vincent didn’t come thru w/ food & money there would be less people there, if any, in about 2 weeks.
At around 1:02 Vincent talks about God choosing for him to do this & also that God chooses everything for US…NOT, otherwise we would be robots. At 2:37 a woman asks for $20. & he says he doesn’t have it, so she changed it to $10 & then he gives her $6…they are good manipulators. He let the homeless into his home & 3 different times he has to leave his home…could it be that he broke his lease in doing so? His wife leaves him; perhaps she felt uncared for & also unsafe w/ those who were in her house?!
At 5:20 a woman relates of Vincent not judging anyone even if he thinks they’re ripping him off, BUT JESUS judged righteously & commanded us to judge righteously as well as Paul. Jesus also trusted no man b/c He knew what was in men’s hearts. Feeding people’s flesh, ie, their desires is enabling them…I think Vincent is trying to fix people since he cannot fix himself.
At 5:35 Vincent talks about being abused & points to Jesus as being abused, when in fact Jesus fled several times from those who were set to kill him, b/c it was not His Father’s time so He was always aware of & discerning the time of His Father’s will.
The interviewer tells how Vincent serves others for HIS SALVATION! Also, the message he is giving is NOT about Jesus being your only Hope of Glory, but he gives out good words to follow…love others, give to others, etc. in other words, a WORKS gospel!
In Luke 14:16-24, (vs. 23) see what Jesus is really saying thru this parable–”Go out unto the highways & hedges, & compel them to come IN, that MY HOUSE (certainly not the church buildings!) may be filled, ie, the invisible Kingdom of God! And in vs. 26 the Lord is NOT telling anyone to abandon his family, in fact, Jesus gave His mother to John & John to His mother at the time of His crucifixion. Also, 1 Tim. 5:8 says–But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an INFIDEL.
And then I read these comments above which only confirmed my questions! To the saints, I say, check your emotions, do not rush into having opinions, bring it all to Jesus & be discerning & ask for wisdom!!!
Donna
December 8, 2012
To Shane,
Jesus Himself did not live as Vincent lived! Read the gospels & look for the truth. And we do not have to live as he does in order to be a christian…referring to your quote. “Only if you live your life as he is living his life can you call yourself a Christian.” Only those who are IN Christ & have HIM for their only hope of glory can call themselves a christian & as for a disciple, that is a person who is a learner of Jesus Christ, not someone who goes off & does what he thinks he’s supposed to do to earn salvation!
Mark Medrek
January 31, 2013
To Donna:
Jesus said that the birds have nests and foxes have holes, but the son of man had nowhere to lay his head; that sounds not so far off Vinny’s situation to me. The scripture he included about denying self, and taking up one’s cross and following Christ is no joke. Americans like cushy Christianity that doesn’t interfere with their plans too much. Take a look at Matt 10:34-42, especially verse #39. Jesus didn’t paint a pretty picture of following Him, as if it were an enhancement to one’s life; He made it very clear that it is an all-or-nothing proposition. Vinny felt called/compelled to go out “into the highways and byways,” and his wife didn’t go for it, and that’s understandable. However, those decisions don’t make either of them wrong. Regarding “discernment,” please read: Luke 17:12-19. In that example, 90% of those healed didn’t bother to be grateful after they got what they wanted (i.e. Jesus encountered users too). Maybe one of the things that separates true Christians–Jesus talked about the distinction often, and at length–from posers is having love one for another without ego entering into the argument, becoming attached to the process, and totally unattached from the product. “My Kingdom is not of this world…” perhaps we miss it by using our earthly perspective.
Donna
January 31, 2013
To Mark,
Your comment is not even worth answering b/c you have replied as though you have not even read or understood anything that I wrote! Typical of people who hear selectively!
But, how do You live?!